As Production
10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12:14
From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,
and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.
13:2
From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good,
but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
13:14
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
14:23
In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk tends only to poverty.
18:20-21
From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.
Slow to Speak, Quick to Listen
10:19
When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
12:16
The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
13:3
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
17:27-28
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
18:2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
18:13
If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.
18:17
The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
20:5
The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
20:25
It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
and to reflect only after making vows.
21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.
21:28
A false witness will perish,
but the word of a man who hears will endure.
23:9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
for he will despise the good sense of your words.
24:27
Prepare your work outside;
get everything ready for yourself in the field,
and after that build your house. (Used to show the importance of thinking before speaking).
25:11-12
A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
29:11
A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
29:20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Secrets
10:7
The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
10:18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
11:13
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
12:23
A prudent man conceals knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
16:28
A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
17:4
The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
17:9
Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
18:3
When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
18:8
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
18:17
The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
20:19
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
22:1
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.
24:17-18
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
and turn away his anger from him.
25:7b-10
What your eyes have seen
do not hastily bring into court,
for what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another’s secret,
lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.
26:20-22
For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
28:13
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Deceit
12:20
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
13:5
The righteous hates falsehood,
but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
14:5
A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.
16:30
Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things;
he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
17:7
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
still less is false speech to a prince.
17:20
A man of crooked heart does not discover good,
and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
19:22
What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
and a poor man is better than a liar.
20:6
Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
but a faithful man who can find?
24:8-9
Whoever plans to do evil
will be called a schemer.
The devising of folly is sin,
and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.
26:23-26
Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
26:28
A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Testimony
10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12:17
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.
12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
14:5
A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.
14:25
A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
18:17
The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.
19:5
A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
19:9
A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.
19:22
What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
and a poor man is better than a liar.
19:28
A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
20:6
Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
but a faithful man who can find?
20:17
Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
21:6
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
21:28
A false witness will perish,
but the word of a man who hears will endure.
24:28-29
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
25:18
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
26:18-19
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
26:28
A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
28:5
Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
Judicious
15:23
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and a word in season, how good it is!
16:23
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
25:11
A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
“Kisses”
Good
12:19
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
12:25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
15:4
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
15:26
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
but gracious words are pure.
15:30
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes the bones.
16:24
Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
20:6
Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
but a faithful man who can find?
22:11
He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
24:26
Whoever gives an honest answer
kisses the lips.
25:15
With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.
25:25
Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
a stranger, and not your own lips.
27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
27:21
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and a man is tested by his praise.
Bad
10:10
Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
17:7
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
still less is false speech to a prince.
25:20
Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
26:28
A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
29:5
A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
“Wounds”
Good
20:30
Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
strokes make clean the innermost parts.
Bad
11:12
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
25:23
The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
26:2
Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
a curse that is causeless does not alight.
26:18-19
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
26:21
As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
27:14
Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,
rising early in the morning,
will be counted as cursing.
Of a Wise/Foolish Heart
10:8
The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
10:13-14
On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
The wise lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
10:20-21
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
10:31-32
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
11:9
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
12:6
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
12:13
An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
but the righteous escapes from trouble.
13:16
Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
but a fool flaunts his folly.
14:3
By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,
but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
14:7
Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
14:33
Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
15:7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools.
15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
16:13
Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
18:2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
18:4
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
18:6-7
A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
20:15
There is gold and abundance of costly stones,
but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
27:3
A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.